Gastrointestinal Issues and Their Causes and Treatments

Gastrointestinal issues frequently correlate directly with our dietary habits. Identifying the cause of certain internal symptoms can sometimes be challenging. For instance, individuals may experience persistent gurgling sounds in their stomachs, which differ significantly from typical noises. In these situations, actively seeking the root cause and providing targeted treatment is crucial. Let's delve into the potential causes of these continuous stomach gurgling sounds and explore effective solutions.

1. What Causes Continuous Gurgling Sounds in the Stomach?

Borborygmi refer to the gurgling sounds produced by gastrointestinal peristalsis. Under normal circumstances, these sounds are low and gentle, often inaudible. However, intestinal abnormalities or blockages can cause them to become louder and more frequent. The location and character of the gurgling can assist clinicians in diagnosing the illness's location and nature.

If the gurgling emanates from the epigastrium (upper abdominal region), it might indicate fluid accumulation in the stomach. Gurgling sounds resembling hunger pangs that are alleviated by warmth or food intake but aggravated by hunger or cold may suggest insufficient qi (vital energy) in the middle burner, indicative of gastrointestinal deficiency and coldness.

Loud, rumbling abdominal sounds accompanied by fullness and diarrhea often stem from disruptions in the gastrointestinal qi-mechanism due to exposure to wind, cold, or dampness. Mild gurgling accompanied by bloating and reduced appetite is typically associated with qi deficiency in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to weakened transmission functions.

If borborygmi sounds completely cease, accompanied by abdominal distension and pain, it may indicate severe gastrointestinal qi stagnation.

2. Causes of Borborygmi

2.1 Enhanced Borborygmi

Enhanced bowel sounds occur due to increased bowel movements, resulting in more frequent gurgling. This condition, known as active borborygmi, is commonly observed in acute gastroenteritis, post-laxative use, or during gastrointestinal bleeding. Hyperactive borborygmi, characterized by high frequency and loud or high-pitched tones, is typically seen in mechanical intestinal obstruction. Here, intestinal cavity expansion, increased gas accumulation, and intestinal wall thinning due to extreme tension create resonance, producing loud, metallic-sounding abdominal tones.

If intestinal obstruction persists, causing intestinal wall muscle fatigue and reduced bowel movements, borborygmi may also减弱 (decrease in intensity).

2.2 Reduced Borborygmi

When borborygmi frequency is significantly lower than normal or heard only occasionally, it's known as reduced borborygmi. This can occur in conditions like senile constipation, peritonitis, electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hypokalemia), and reduced gastrointestinal motility.

2.3 Absence of Borborygmi

If no borborygmi are audible after 3 to 5 minutes of continuous auscultation, even with gentle tapping or scratching of the abdomen, it's considered the absence of borborygmi. This can be seen in acute peritonitis or paralytic intestinal obstruction.

3. Treatment of Borborygmi

3.1 Simple Borborygmi

For isolated cases, adjustments to diet and lifestyle habits, along with medications to improve gastrointestinal function, can be effective.

3.2 Borborygmi Accompanied by Gastrointestinal Inflammation

(1) Anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment: In bacterial infections, effective antibiotics or traditional Chinese medicines like berberine and yuanhu zhitong tablets can be prescribed based on the identified pathogens. These medications are taken three times daily. In severe cases with symptoms like fever, dehydration, or shock, intravenous antibiotics may be administered. In some instances, intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, or additional interventions may be necessary.